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dangermousieSeeing that a bunch of new kdramas are either about to start or have been announced, I thought it would be fun to do one of those periodical 'here is what's coming up, and here are my 2 cents' posts.
Below are all the upcoming kdramas that are on my radar, alphabetical order, and what I think about them.
City Conquest - ahahahahahahaha. It stars handsome plank of wood Kim Hyun Joong, evil secondary girl from Rooftop Prince, and is written by the Lie to Me person. It is very considerate of them to stick all these horrors in one drama, thus preventing the blight of multiple dramas at once. I'll check it out anyway, because I am fond of action dramas, but to say my expectations are nil would be being optimistic.
Horse Healer - OK, a period medical drama is marginally less boring than a modern one (the only thing that would get me to watch a modern medical drama would be a threat to life and limb), but this is a traditional sageuk which means about a million episodes and a glacial pace. I only have room for one of those and, guess what - I am going to pick the one with magic, swords and Ji Sung. The cast is solid but nobody that would make me check out a drama that otherwise doesn't appeal and, seeing as this is about a veterinarian becoming a royal doctor, I can't help but imagine it as some sort of Doctor Doolittle Rises Through the Ranks. With Hats.
IRIS 2 - I don't really think IRIS needed a sequel (it's one of my favorite dramas of all time, and it stands alone just fine) but it's not really a sequel, despite the name, but a spin-off - all the leads are different. And another spin-off, Athena, was horrifyingly bad and I could not get through it - and seeing how much I love even the most mediocre action kdramas (Lobbyist, I am looking at you!) that is saying a lot (in my defense, the 'action drama' principle is offset by the 'I have yet to tolerate Su Ae as a heroine in anything' principle). However, I am very excited for this. I don't expect it to be another IRIS, but I do think it has a great chance to be a solid fun ride. Why? As I said, I enjoy most action kdramas, so by its mere genre, I am predisposed to be optimistic. More importantly, this stars Jang Hyuk and Lee Da Hae, two of my huge favorites who always set the screen on fire even when the drama itself is flawed. And! This is the third drama in which they play a couple (after Robbers and Chuno, though in Chuno they were not the end OTP. I was fine with that but I am still going to imagine their characters as Un Nyun and Dae Gil reincarnated). They have ridiculous levels of chemistry rarely seen and when they are on-screen together, I just don't care about anything else. Honestly, as soon as they said 'Jang Hyuk and LDH are on board,' they could have told me the drama would be written by a ten-year old and focus on the importance of finishing one's vegetables, and I'd be on-board.
I Miss You - the melodramas are clearly back. I was worried they were extinct, but thankfully my worries were premature. Hooray! This is a romantic melodrama. YAY! Starring Yoochun, whom I've adored in everything. Yay! The leading lady is rumored to be Yoon Eun Hye, of great chemistry with her leads and wonderful chops (even if iffy script-picking). YAY!!!!
Jeon Woo Chi - normally this would be really high on my radar. It's a fantasy fusion sageuk, with revenge, mentions of Hong Gil Dong, and Uee as an assassin compelled by black magic who is restored to herself once a month. Yet, my big big obstacle is Cha Tae Hyun, the leading man. I know this places me in the minority of one, but I don't like him. I think he's dreadfully unattractive and nothing I've seen him in has ever convinced me he has on-screen charisma to overcome the instinctive dislike I get. I am going to give it a chance but honestly - I wish it was almost anyone else.
King of Dramas - big-headed producer of hits, perfectionist writer, shallow star. Yaaaaawn. Hasn't this story already been told repeatedly and well in Worlds Within and On Air (and less well, but also starring Siwon in Oh My Lady). There is nothing to excite me about this. Siwon is very cute but has yet to save an otherwise unappealing drama (and is second lead here anyway), the same goes for Jung Ryu Won and, while it's the evening for unpopular confessions, I am instinctively averse to Kim Myung Min solely due to his "OMG he is suuuuuch a maestro' fanbase.
Secret Agent War - oh, I am excited for this one! It stars Joo Won (who is fast winning the title of biggest workaholic, which is quite contested in kdramaland) as a secret agent who finds out his ex was one too etc etc. It's based on a hilarious movie with Kang Ji Hwan (come back to dramas, KJH!) and Kim Ha Neul. I am quite excited for this for a number of reasons - (1) Joo Won has yet to pick a bad drama or a bad role (2) it's the only light-hearted drama on the list. Even a dramatic misery fan like me needs to lighten up now and then, (3) the premise sounds delightful. The one pause is it's done by people who did Plan B, which was appalling, but then they also did Chuno, which was sublime. And they are basing it off their own movie which was wonderful, so it's a known quantity. I am an optimist, so yay!
That Winter, The Wind Blows - Jo In Sung, Song Hye Kyo, written by Noh Hee Kyung. My most anticipated kdrama possibly ever. This one is a dark melodrama that brings together two of my all-time favorite actors, neither of whom had a drama for a while (I don't believe JIS has been in a drama since 2006!). The plot - he needs money so he tries to scam a distrustful blind heiress by pretending to be her long-lost brother, sounds utterly twisted and utterly up these actors' alley. And that writer and that PD! It's a dream come true, pretty much. I mean, I am obsessed with Jo In Sung and would probably watch him if his drama was about clown school or something, but this - mmmmmmm. The downside: I can't see any. Though it goes without saying that if you want a cheery drama, look elsewhere. I, meanwhile, will wallow wallow wallow in the perfection that is agonized and broken Jo In Sung pining for traumatized Song Hye Kyo.
The Great Seer - yet another one of those traditional sageuks with a million eps, but I am definitely checking out this one because I am very fond of the cast - Ji Sung, Ji Jin Hee (sporting a manly beard he stole from Warrior Baek Dong Soo), Kim So Yeon etc. And occasionally, a measured pace of a normal sageuk is quite good for a change of pace. Plus, completely irrationally, this is giving me flashbacks to that silly Heian Love game on which I wasted much too much time with Abe no Seimei as a dating partner...
Yawang - Su Ae as a ruthless woman trying to be the First Lady, Kwon Sang Woo as her former lover, who feels used and wants revenge. I am way on-board despite my reservations about Su Ah, simply because the plot sounds dark and delicious and like a much much more twisted Daemul. Bring it on!
What are yours?
Below are all the upcoming kdramas that are on my radar, alphabetical order, and what I think about them.
City Conquest - ahahahahahahaha. It stars handsome plank of wood Kim Hyun Joong, evil secondary girl from Rooftop Prince, and is written by the Lie to Me person. It is very considerate of them to stick all these horrors in one drama, thus preventing the blight of multiple dramas at once. I'll check it out anyway, because I am fond of action dramas, but to say my expectations are nil would be being optimistic.
Horse Healer - OK, a period medical drama is marginally less boring than a modern one (the only thing that would get me to watch a modern medical drama would be a threat to life and limb), but this is a traditional sageuk which means about a million episodes and a glacial pace. I only have room for one of those and, guess what - I am going to pick the one with magic, swords and Ji Sung. The cast is solid but nobody that would make me check out a drama that otherwise doesn't appeal and, seeing as this is about a veterinarian becoming a royal doctor, I can't help but imagine it as some sort of Doctor Doolittle Rises Through the Ranks. With Hats.
IRIS 2 - I don't really think IRIS needed a sequel (it's one of my favorite dramas of all time, and it stands alone just fine) but it's not really a sequel, despite the name, but a spin-off - all the leads are different. And another spin-off, Athena, was horrifyingly bad and I could not get through it - and seeing how much I love even the most mediocre action kdramas (Lobbyist, I am looking at you!) that is saying a lot (in my defense, the 'action drama' principle is offset by the 'I have yet to tolerate Su Ae as a heroine in anything' principle). However, I am very excited for this. I don't expect it to be another IRIS, but I do think it has a great chance to be a solid fun ride. Why? As I said, I enjoy most action kdramas, so by its mere genre, I am predisposed to be optimistic. More importantly, this stars Jang Hyuk and Lee Da Hae, two of my huge favorites who always set the screen on fire even when the drama itself is flawed. And! This is the third drama in which they play a couple (after Robbers and Chuno, though in Chuno they were not the end OTP. I was fine with that but I am still going to imagine their characters as Un Nyun and Dae Gil reincarnated). They have ridiculous levels of chemistry rarely seen and when they are on-screen together, I just don't care about anything else. Honestly, as soon as they said 'Jang Hyuk and LDH are on board,' they could have told me the drama would be written by a ten-year old and focus on the importance of finishing one's vegetables, and I'd be on-board.
I Miss You - the melodramas are clearly back. I was worried they were extinct, but thankfully my worries were premature. Hooray! This is a romantic melodrama. YAY! Starring Yoochun, whom I've adored in everything. Yay! The leading lady is rumored to be Yoon Eun Hye, of great chemistry with her leads and wonderful chops (even if iffy script-picking). YAY!!!!
Jeon Woo Chi - normally this would be really high on my radar. It's a fantasy fusion sageuk, with revenge, mentions of Hong Gil Dong, and Uee as an assassin compelled by black magic who is restored to herself once a month. Yet, my big big obstacle is Cha Tae Hyun, the leading man. I know this places me in the minority of one, but I don't like him. I think he's dreadfully unattractive and nothing I've seen him in has ever convinced me he has on-screen charisma to overcome the instinctive dislike I get. I am going to give it a chance but honestly - I wish it was almost anyone else.
King of Dramas - big-headed producer of hits, perfectionist writer, shallow star. Yaaaaawn. Hasn't this story already been told repeatedly and well in Worlds Within and On Air (and less well, but also starring Siwon in Oh My Lady). There is nothing to excite me about this. Siwon is very cute but has yet to save an otherwise unappealing drama (and is second lead here anyway), the same goes for Jung Ryu Won and, while it's the evening for unpopular confessions, I am instinctively averse to Kim Myung Min solely due to his "OMG he is suuuuuch a maestro' fanbase.
Secret Agent War - oh, I am excited for this one! It stars Joo Won (who is fast winning the title of biggest workaholic, which is quite contested in kdramaland) as a secret agent who finds out his ex was one too etc etc. It's based on a hilarious movie with Kang Ji Hwan (come back to dramas, KJH!) and Kim Ha Neul. I am quite excited for this for a number of reasons - (1) Joo Won has yet to pick a bad drama or a bad role (2) it's the only light-hearted drama on the list. Even a dramatic misery fan like me needs to lighten up now and then, (3) the premise sounds delightful. The one pause is it's done by people who did Plan B, which was appalling, but then they also did Chuno, which was sublime. And they are basing it off their own movie which was wonderful, so it's a known quantity. I am an optimist, so yay!
That Winter, The Wind Blows - Jo In Sung, Song Hye Kyo, written by Noh Hee Kyung. My most anticipated kdrama possibly ever. This one is a dark melodrama that brings together two of my all-time favorite actors, neither of whom had a drama for a while (I don't believe JIS has been in a drama since 2006!). The plot - he needs money so he tries to scam a distrustful blind heiress by pretending to be her long-lost brother, sounds utterly twisted and utterly up these actors' alley. And that writer and that PD! It's a dream come true, pretty much. I mean, I am obsessed with Jo In Sung and would probably watch him if his drama was about clown school or something, but this - mmmmmmm. The downside: I can't see any. Though it goes without saying that if you want a cheery drama, look elsewhere. I, meanwhile, will wallow wallow wallow in the perfection that is agonized and broken Jo In Sung pining for traumatized Song Hye Kyo.
The Great Seer - yet another one of those traditional sageuks with a million eps, but I am definitely checking out this one because I am very fond of the cast - Ji Sung, Ji Jin Hee (sporting a manly beard he stole from Warrior Baek Dong Soo), Kim So Yeon etc. And occasionally, a measured pace of a normal sageuk is quite good for a change of pace. Plus, completely irrationally, this is giving me flashbacks to that silly Heian Love game on which I wasted much too much time with Abe no Seimei as a dating partner...
Yawang - Su Ae as a ruthless woman trying to be the First Lady, Kwon Sang Woo as her former lover, who feels used and wants revenge. I am way on-board despite my reservations about Su Ah, simply because the plot sounds dark and delicious and like a much much more twisted Daemul. Bring it on!
What are yours?
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Date: 2012-09-29 02:23 am (UTC)so great to hear he's finally doing something toned down on angst.
now, if only they can find someone who can match him. No noona please, I can't do another one of those.
That Winter, The Wind Blows - What a lovely title. Looking forward to this one. Jo In Sung, Song Hye Kyo Fighting!
And as for Iris 2 - I'm staying clear of the train wreak.
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Date: 2012-09-29 02:27 am (UTC)I am so going to enjoy having Jo In Sung making me cry....
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Date: 2012-09-29 03:26 am (UTC)I am in that minority with you. I find CTH to be extremely unattractive and while I've liked some of his film projects, I've never liked him. He just doesn't have that on-screen charisma. If an actor isn't physically attractive (to me), they at least have to have that charisma and CTH just. . .doesn't. It's a shame, too. When they made Jeon Woo Chi into a film, it was a favorite - very fun.
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Date: 2012-09-29 03:40 am (UTC)(no subject)
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Date: 2012-09-29 03:28 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-09-29 03:39 am (UTC)I am more of a cast/writer person than I am a plot one - i.e. if I like the cast and writer, the plot is immaterial because most kdramas have insane plots :) That's in large part why Wind makes me excited - the cast and actors are top-notch and KoD makes me bored - I am indifferent to the cast and unfamiliar with the writer.
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Date: 2012-09-29 05:06 am (UTC)I'm also excited about Secret Agent - JOO WON! I keep hoping he'd appear in something that I have any hope of finishing, and I think this might be it (I'm still in the process of chugging through his old dramas painfully - Baker King was so makjang, Ojakkyo was too long and filled with irritating secondary characters, Gaksital was too tragic). The casting of the female lead might make or break this drama, though. I just hope they cast a promising young actress; I'd rather someone with less star billing but with the right image and acting chops. People on DB kept suggesting Ha Ji Won/Han Go Eun/Kim So Yeon and I was just like... BWUH? Awesome as they are, we need someone within Joo Won's age range. And definitely NOT Lee Yeon Hee, because I don't want to see him act opposite a plank.
I might keep an eye out for The Great Seer because of Ji Sung and Kim So Yeon, and I'm definitely checking out City Conquest. The latter promises to be an epic disaster, what with Kim Hyun Joong in a kind of City Hunter redux, but I like Jung Yumi and Namgoong Min, so... maybe it'll at least be epically entertaining in its badness? :P I might be distantly curious about King of Dramas, too, but that's mainly based on its cast - the premise itself sounds DULL.
The rest I am unfortunately not even remotely interested in! I'm still grieving that Yoochun decided to pick up that melo - I know you love the genre, but I personally cannot do it, LOL. I guess I'll have to wait for his next drama. Why, Yoochun, why?
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Date: 2012-09-29 06:22 am (UTC)(no subject)
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Date: 2012-09-29 07:19 am (UTC)baker king - yes LOTS of unnecessary makang, BUT joo won's ma jun's character just captivated me. he is so deliciously wounded and angry. just keep you finger on the mouse - fast forward all other scenes and just watch him.
ojakgyo isn't easy to get into, but its so full of heart. uee is actually my favorite co-star for joo won. great chemistry and a solid actress. really hoping for someone as great for his upcoming drama.
gaksital.. sigh.. i think i just love the wounded character. hahaha this was the standout drama for me this year, and one that simply cements joo won as leading man. its definitely not for everyone, but seeing joo won's character arc as lee kang to is just pure magic.
ok need to stop with the fangirling :p
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Date: 2012-09-29 12:54 pm (UTC)The thing with CTH - I am willing to admit he is funny (I don't find him so but I am the first to admit me and drama sense of humor don't mesh). But as a drama lead? He is so fugly. Maybe if he had a bag on his head. And worked out. Yes, I am shallow.
Kim So Yeon is not available due to Great Seer but honestly, I want someone Joo Won's age - ironic for someone who is enjoying Faith, but the whole noona romance trend is getting old. There are plenty of excellent 20-something actresses that need the work, cast them.
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Date: 2012-09-29 05:56 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-09-29 12:55 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-09-29 06:15 am (UTC)As for the others I am planning to watch:
Yawang-they had at me at ruthless heroine seeking power. plus i love a good political drama.
Secret agent war - joo won! and if that wasnt enough its an action and romance comedy, aka the best combination of genres to ever exist. even tho there's alot of ways it can go wrong, if it goes right we'll have a kdrama version of Mr and Mrs Smith aka one of my fave movies evar. In the meantime I think I'll go watch the movie version, its on youtube!
I miss you - on the fence about this one, if yoon eun hye is in it that'll be a big plus and i like the way the hero is described he sounds unlike the typical constantly brooding type of melodramas. that said this has alot of tropes that make me side eye a bit. also i hate dramas with childhood portions. like whyyy do i need to sit thru that? so yeah i might just follow this one via dramabeans recaps lol.
Jeon Woo Chi - man I have such a bad luck with fantasy sageuks. i didnt like the legend, i didnt like moon embraces the sun, i had to fast forward thru alot of queen inhyun's man becuz i was just bored by every scene that didnt have yoo in na and ji hyun woo together in it. and even tho Faith and Arang are good solid dramas I still feel emotionally disconnected and barely invested enough to keep watching. I kind of have to force myself. Even tho I enjoy the actual episodes. IDK what it is man. I think the only sageuk set drama I got super invested in was SKKS. but anyway, I feel like the same is gonna happen with this drama. Esp with Cha Tae Hyun. I dont think he's cute either. He's fun on variety but IDK if I rly want him as a leading guy. :/ I might have to sit this one out....
That winter, the wind blows - thats a pretty title. I like the premise cause it could get rly fucked up and twisted and I'm ALL for that. But I am rly not here for a saintly disabled heroine. that is the worst combination in the world for me. oh she's blind but she's SO HOPEFUL AND FULL OF LIFE AND JOY. WE CAN ALL LEARN FROM HER. *pukes*. if she's the passive, somber, broken bird type I wont rly enjoy that either but it has the potential to be done well so. We'll see is what I'm saying. I might like it. (what I rly want in a melodrama one day tho is a heroine like Kairi from Love Shuffle. but I think it helped that Yoshitaka Yuriko is kind of a weirdo herself hahahaha)
the horse healer sounds like the most boring thing that has ever existed. i just, what is the draw of this for anyone? I want to know.
also I took one look at city conquest with the rip off plot, the bland wooden lead, the shitty script writer, and the grating lead actress and i was like LOL NOPE.
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Date: 2012-09-29 12:59 pm (UTC)Re: Wind Blows. You are in luck! The heroine is supposed to be bitter, paranoid and distrustful. Basically, both leads are headcases, sort of like Byakuyako minus the murders and necrophilia.
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Date: 2012-09-29 08:05 am (UTC)You don't mention Park Shi Hoo and Moon Geun Young's upcoming drama. Is it not on your radar then? It seems like it might be another fun one.
Re-Cha Tae Hyun... Have you ever tried watching season 2 of 1 Night 2 Days? He's really hilarious on that show. He's not handsome in the conventional way but he has a lot of charisma and a great personality. I love the "icon of misfortune" role he's been stuck with from the starts. Now he just rolls with it and when he laughs, you want to laugh with him. Watching 1N2D might make you look forward to his upcoming drama more -- or put you off even more than you are right now. There's always a risk^^
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Date: 2012-09-29 01:02 pm (UTC)Yeah, I avoid variety - I am not good with goofy semi-reality TV. (Actually any reality TV). It would probably make me dislike even an actor I like, so CTH is a lost cause.
I am awfully shallow but his face is so...chubby. His jaw has NO definition. It's like it's swimming in skin. And all his features are sort of like drawn with crayon.
Yeah, I adore Kim Tae Hee but NO. No way. Cast someone his age, please.
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Date: 2012-09-29 08:49 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-09-29 12:56 pm (UTC)I mean, UGH!!!!
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Date: 2012-09-29 10:30 am (UTC)will probably only end up watching two though :)
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Date: 2012-09-29 12:55 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-09-29 02:58 pm (UTC)- "That Winter the Wind Blows" (I really hope they change the title)
- "IRIS 2" (I just like the cast, even if the drama is a BAD IDEA)
- "King of Dramas" (I just adore the lead actor and not just because of his Maestro role... though I'm not sure the plot will keep me interested)
- "I Miss You" (I'll check it out because ROMANCE is my alley... but my attention is hard to grab)
- "Secret Agent War" (Yes please! I just hope they give Joo Won a better co-star this time)
I might even check out "The Horse Healer" because I fell in love with the lead actress after "49 Days" but I probably won't like it.
Now that my vacation is over, I'm swamped with work and it's SO HARD to find time to watch even just one drama episode! And most of the time I'm struggling to stay awake because I'm just SO TIRED. :(
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Date: 2012-09-29 06:48 pm (UTC)Yeah, I know I2 is a bad idea, but I can't help it!
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Date: 2012-09-29 06:11 pm (UTC)I'll be there for romcom action drama Secret Agent War because Joo Won. Also the premise, which is totally my cup of tea. But also, Joo Won.
Yoo chun's drama sounds iffy to me. The plot doesn't pull me at all. But it's Yoo chun and he's so great to watch that I will at least watch a few episodes and see where it goes from there.
City Conquest sounds horrible, lol. I think I'll check it out for the laughs.
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Date: 2012-09-29 06:49 pm (UTC)City Conquest is going to be soooooo bad. I can't wait.
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Date: 2012-09-29 07:20 pm (UTC)-I'm sort of ridiculously excited for IRIS 2. I'm keeping up hope that they won't royally screw it up. IRIS is my favorite all-time drama so that's a high order. But they have Jang Hyuk and I will watch anything he's in because he's always riveting.
-Yawang sounds like my kind of drama if it's donen right. So I'll at least check out the first few episodes.
-I may have to watch City Conquest just to see how bad it is. Wonder if it will beat out Dr. Jin for Best Shitshow of the Year.
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Date: 2012-09-30 02:33 am (UTC)I don't think anything will beat brain fetus for worst drama :)
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Date: 2012-09-29 07:30 pm (UTC)After some serious thinking I decided that there's only one actress that fits this drama... Min Hyo Rin!
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Date: 2012-09-30 02:34 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-09-29 11:28 pm (UTC)Secret Agent War sounds DELIGHTFUL.
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Date: 2012-09-30 02:34 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-09-30 01:23 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-09-30 02:34 am (UTC)Bowing :)
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Date: 2012-09-30 09:10 am (UTC)and btw where's five fingers review ?? i lost it here *sobs*
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Date: 2012-09-30 11:05 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-09-30 04:51 pm (UTC)I'm not excited about Secret Agent War in the least, even if my darling Joo Won is headlining it. I really hate action/spy storylines. It will take a miracle (and perhaps Han Hyo Joo as the female lead) for me to take any interest in it.
I'm tentatively excited about Jeon Woo Chi, only because it sounds magical and I love Uee. She might do great in a sageuk. But I don't know who the lead is....The picture someone posted here was frightening indeed.
Going to go into another minority camp by saying that Yoochun's acting does nothing for me. He was just OK for me in SKK Scandal and I disliked Rooftop Prince. He might yet redeem himself (and Yoon Eun Hye is always something to watch out for) just like Park Shi Hoo completely redeemed himself with his performance in The Princess' Man but again - skeptical!
The Park Shi Hoo and Moon Geun Young pairing sounds fabulous but the plot is so 'meh' I wonder if it will be another Mary Stayed Out All Night flufffest.
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Date: 2012-09-30 11:06 pm (UTC)PSH is usually really good at picking dramas but MGY is abysmal so we'll see whose luck wins out.